''Ahh, what I did? '' The man screams from pain. He is bleeding cuts all over his body. Hands and feet were chained in this slaughterhouse he owned. His cries echoed in this dimly lit slaughterhouse.
''What do you want from me? '' He cries out, his voice hoarse from screaming. The faint sound of footsteps approaching echoes through the dark, damp room, sending shivers down his spine.
The man who brought him here—the one who tortured him—opened the PVC strips that were covering the grinding meat area and grinned menacingly at him, revealing a set of sharp, blood-stained teeth. The man's heart pounded in fear as he realized the true horror of his situation. And I saw the head of his most loyal worker here. But what terrifies him more was when this person revealed the other side, where his family were tied tight, lying on the bloody floor. His wife, two teenage daughters, and his young son, who is only 8 years old.
''I have money; you can take it all; just don't harm my family, please.'' The man cried, begging.
''Hahahhahaha..''' man laughs sinisterly, reveling in the fear he instilled. "Your money means nothing to me. I have other plans for you and your family," he said with a chilling grin.
''Noo... No..please..I am begging you, don't hurt her, don't hurt my daughter.'' The man cries, trying to get himself out of the chains that bind him. "Your pleas fall on deaf ears," the man replied coldly, his eyes filled with malice as he advanced towards the man's family.
''Why are you doing this to us? We did nothing but good to people.'' The man cried out, desperation evident in his voice. The sinister man chuckled darkly, enjoying the power he held over the helpless family.
'' That's exactly why you're here, Mr. Smith. Your family disgusts me. Giving support and hope to people who don't deserve it. Giving them an inspiration, letting them trust you that there is a chance for everyone that there's good in this world.' But I'm here to show you that there is no hope, no good left in this world," he sneered. The man's heart sank as he realized the true extent of the danger they were in.
''It's time for you to pay the price for your foolish generosity.'' With a cruel smile, he raised his hand, ready to start the machine.
''No…pleaaseeee..''
The slaughters were filled with screams and cries.
———————————————————————————————————————————
''No.. Please.. Noo.. Kill me; please kill me too.''
''No..!!''
Detective Jameson woke from her nightmare drenched with sweat. She looked around and saw that she was in her room and not in that scene in her nightmare. She saw the time, and it was only 4 a.m.
Her nightmares have comeback since she saw the neighbor, Miss Anderson.
Those cold Emerald eyes triggered her memories of the unsolved case from 10 years ago. Detective Jameson knew she wouldn't move on from her morbid past until she caught that murderer.
She covers her face with her palm, ignoring the phone that's ringing nonstop. She stares, and her wrist, where there's a scar in it, is written with scratched Roman numeral VI. She felt a wet sensation in her face, and droplets of it started to wet her hands.
Her phone rang again. Which she answers now.
''What is it? '' she said while drying her tears.
''Is this a bad time, E.J.? '' Ryan asks from the other line, hearing her voice crack. Detective Jameson takes a deep breath, composing herself before responding, "No time like the present, Ryan. What do you have for me?"
''We have another murder case; it's...'' Ryan couldn't find words to explain this heinous crime scene. ''It's brutal, E.J.." He finally found the word close to it, but it wasn't even how to describe it. What he's seeing is an act of evil.
''How brutal? ' Detective Jameson asks.
''Come here to see..'' Ryan replied, his voice filled with a mix of horror and disbelief. Detective Jameson knew that if Ryan was struggling to find words, it must be a truly gruesome scene.
''Okay, I am coming.''
Detective Jameson arrived at the crime scene. Ryan's grim face welcomed her.
''What have we got? ''She asks, steeling herself even though she's already fearing what she's about to see.
Ryan hesitated. "It's beyond anything I've seen. The victims... they're posed like animals in a slaughterhouse." Jameson's eyes widened as she approached the scene. The air reeked of blood and death. She saw Mr. Smith's family, bound and mutilated.
''Any leads? '' She asked, her voice cracked but remained firm.
''No witness, no surveillance footage.'' Ryan shook his head, a look of defeat in his eyes. "We're going to need all hands on deck for this one," he said grimly. Jameson nodded, already mentally preparing herself for the long and difficult investigation ahead.
''History of the family; any known enemies or conflicts?'' she inquired, determined to uncover any possible motive behind the brutal crime. Ryan sighed, "Nothing that stands out, but we'll dig deeper. This case won't go unsolved."
''Mr. Smith is known for his charities that help people in need,'' Ryan added.
''Maybe we should start there and see if anyone has a grudge against him.'' A glimmer of hope flashed in Jameson's eyes.
Ryan nodded in agreement, grateful for Jameson's quick thinking.
''I highly doubt that this family is known to the good Samaritans in this city and other provinces. Helping people at cost, everybody loves them.'' Ryan's info makes James consider the possibility that the family's altruistic reputation could have made them a target for someone with malicious intent. She made a mental note to investigate further into any potential enemies or disgruntled individuals who may have crossed paths with the family.
''Not everyone loves to be helped by some strangers; let's investigate. ''We need to look into any possible motives for someone to harm this family, whether it be personal vendettas or hidden agendas,'' Jameson suggested, already formulating a plan of action in her mind. ''It's crucial that we gather as much information as possible to get to the bottom of this.''
But she notices something that caught her attention—a small, almost imperceptible symbol etched into the wall, eerily familiar.
"Ryan, look at this," Jameson said, her voice low.
Ryan peered at the symbol.
"What is it?" Jameson's eyes locked onto the symbol.
"I've seen it before...in my nightmares." The connection sparked a chill down her spine.